Image source, Neil Trickett
Image caption, For years local fans have organised meet ups at the Andor filming location.
A Star Wars superfan who moved “halfway across the globe” from the US to Lancashire said she has been amazed at how her newly adopted home has become a draw for fans from all over the world.
Jessica Monger grew up in California not far from the franchise creator George Lucas and moved to Cleveleys on the Fylde Coast in 2012.
She was ecstatic when Andor, a Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series, was filmed on the seafront and has turned the town into an attraction for Star Wars fans from across the world.
“I still get giddy thinking about it, especially since I grew up in California next to Modesto where George Lucas was from,” the 41-year-old said.
Filmmaker Lucas scored a global hit when the swashbuckling sci-fi movie Star Wars was released in 1977, creating a cultural phenomenon and enduring franchise.
Andor, a prequel to the standalone Star Wars film Rogue One, tells the story of Cassian Andor and his fight against the evil empire.
Cleveleys was transformed into the planet Niamos as part of the filming for Andor in 2021.
Image source, Neil Trickett
Image caption, Many who attend the event dress as characters from the franchise
“So I move halfway across the globe and it’s right here at my doorstep – yeah, it’s brilliant,” said Monger, who has lived in the UK for more than 15 years.”
“Star Wars is just all over the place, especially where I grew up.
Since the film crews left, the location has become a magnet for fans thanks to Monger and her fellow Blackpool-based fan Neil Trickett.
Trickett, 41, said the pair teamed up on a social media after realising they live near each other and agreed to meet at the filming location in Cleveleys.
He added: “We very quickly put a plan together for some kind of free public event.”
Four years later, hundreds of devotees, some from as far away as eastern Europe, come to meet like-minded fans, take photos, buy merchandise and talk all things Star Wars.
Image source, Neil Trickett
Image caption, Local residents have said they are surprised to see Star Wars costumes on the beach
Trickett said the pair had tried to lean into the TV show’s connection with Cleveleys promenade.
“There is a famous scene where the droid K-S20 picks up Andor and holds him against the wall.
“So we put a replica droid in that position and let people be held up against the wall by the droid for photos.
“I love the atmosphere it creates, it is just fantastic to see older people interacting with younger people and they’re all there for the same reason – the love of Star Wars.”
Image source, Neil Trickett
Image caption, Fans love replicating a well-known scene from Andor.
Monger said she loves the contrast of seeing people wandering around dressed as Darth Vader in the Lancashire seaside town.
“One of my favourite things is when I’m out just kind of like wandering, watching everything and seeing people who didn’t know what was going on.
“But they happened to be at the beach and there’s a bunch of Star Wars characters and they’re like, ‘this is great, this is amazing’.
“It’s funny seeing dogs reacting to a guy dressed as Chewbacca.
“I have seen kids lose their mind over seeing Stormtroopers on the beach.”
This year’s meet up is on Sunday from 10:30 BST to16:00.
Image source, Jessica Monger
Image caption, Jessica Monger said it is brilliant living near Star Wars location
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